Local elected officials as well as state and federal pols were all gathered on a rainy morning, Dec. 3, in Oak Park, on Marion and Westgate streets. They were there to announce that a collaborative comprised of five area municipalities had received $7 million in combined federal and state dollars to invest in affordable housing.

You could say Dan Watts is old fashioned — and he likely wouldn't take offense. Although he didn't overtly express an aversion to technology (in particular the threat the Internet poses to brick-and-mortar commerce), he definitely prefers conducting business in person.

A popular Madison Street bar and restaurant is tweaking its name after learning that a restaurant on the East Coast shared the same title, but had trademarked it. The 7218 Madison St. restaurant formerly known as Duckfat will soon shuffle the lettering on its sign so it reads Fatduck, a change they've already made on their website.

Forest Park will be the starting point of a "silent parade" in honor of the first responders and citizens who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The parade takes place on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. and will start at the intersection of Van Buren and Madison streets.

The West Cook YMCA is looking for Group Exercise Instructors to provide instruction for group exercise classes and classes for Y Without Walls (YWOW), and assistance with special events. This is done with an emphasis on maintaining the quality of...